Rippling has quickly become a go-to name in the HR software space, especially for startups and growing businesses that want everything—like HR, IT, and finance—under one roof. But it’s not the only option out there.
Many small and medium-sized businesses are looking into alternatives to Rippling that offer similar benefits but can be tailored to their needs. This could be because of price, the need for certain features, or just a better fit for the size and structure of their team.
This guide breaks down the top Rippling competitors for small and mid-sized businesses. You'll get a clear look at what each platform does well—and where it might fall short, key features that matter, and how pricing compares—so you can make the right decision much quicker.
Top Rippling Alternatives for SMBs
Lets break down those Rippling alternatives for SMBs:
TalentHR
TalentHR is a lightweight, cloud-based HR software platform built specifically for small to mid-sized teams that need structure without complexity. With a clean interface and fast setup, it comes with core HR features like employee management, time off tracking, onboarding workflows, and document management, all from a single, intuitive dashboard.
Where TalentHR shines is its simplicity. It’s built to get teams up and running quickly, with automations that simplify repetitive HR tasks and a document system that supports e-signatures for contracts, policies, and more.
Key features
- Talent management
- Time off tracking
- Onboarding and offboarding workflows
- Employee performance tracking
- Applicant tracking system
- Careers page
- Asset management
- Time tracking
- People analytics
- Files and e-signatures
- Surveys
- Customizations
- Safe voice (anonymous feedback)
- AI job ad writer
- AI-powered HR assistant
- Mobile app access
- Integrations with third-party tools
- Dedicated account management
Pros
- Easy to navigate and fast to deploy
- Built-in document management with e-signatures
- Onboarding features that help new hires hit the ground running
- Affordable pricing with a free-forever plan for small teams
- GDPR-compliant and regularly updated
- Thousands of plug-and-play integrations
- Employee self-service portal
Cons
- Some advanced features are still being rolled out
Pricing
- Free plan: $0 (up to 10 users)
- Essential: $2/user/month
- Premium: $4/user/month (includes time tracking, performance management, surveys, e-signatures, and more).
The platform also offers a 14-day free trial of Premium included with all new sign-ups.
Best for: Startups and SMBs looking for a budget-friendly, all-in-one HR solution that’s easy to set up and scale.
Deel
Deel is a cloud-based HR management platform designed for companies managing international or remote teams, as it offers an extensive global coverage. It combines tools for global payroll, contractor payments, hiring, and onboarding, with built-in compliance management features. Deel also acts as an Employer of Record (EOR) when needed and lets companies hire abroad without setting up local entities.
Key Features
- Global payroll software for employees and contractors, and tax management
- Global hiring
- EOR services in 100+ countries
- Contractor classification and compliance tools
- Automated onboarding workflows
- Integrations with finance and HR tools like Xero, QuickBooks, BambooHR
Pros
- Excellent support for global compliance tracking and localized contracts
- Fully integrated contractor and payroll management across 150+ countries
- Highly rated by users for ease of use and customer support
Cons
- High costs for startups if using EOR or advanced payroll and HR features
- HR modules can feel fragmented (each major tool—performance, payroll, etc.—is a separate add-on)
- Users report excessive system notifications and occasional payout delays
Pricing
Deel's pricing is modular and depends on what features you need:
- Contractor Management Tools: $49/contractor/month
- Employer of Record (EOR): $499/employee/month
- Contractor of Record: $325/employee/month
- Global Payroll: $29/employee/month
- PEO (US only): $95/employee/month
- Deel Engage (HR suite: performance, surveys, learning, etc.): $20/worker/month
- Compensation Management: From $15/employee/month
- Workforce Planning: From $18/employee/month
- Benefits Admin and Talent Acquisition: Contact sales for pricing
Some features like Benefits Admin or Talent Acquisition, require direct consultation for pricing.
Best for: Distributed or remote-first teams managing employees and contractors across multiple countries.
HiBob
HiBob, also known as “Bob”, is a cloud-based HR platform aimed at mid-sized companies and fast-growing startups. HiBob structures its offering into modules, which can be added as needed.
But HR professionals point out it requiers a lot of manual input, and mention that it's difficult to find command because the user interface is very basic. As one user claims, "You could tell it was built by developers, rather than by real HR people."
Key Features
- Centralized employee database and employee data management
- Customizable onboarding workflows and time-off policies
- Performance tracking and review cycles
- Compensation planning
- Surveys and feedback tools
- People analytics and workforce planning
- Payroll hub with UK-specific module
- Integrations with third-party tools
Pros
- Supports a wide set of HR processes across the employee lifecycle
- Strong feedback from users on implementation support and configuration flexibility
- Adapted to support remote and international teams
Cons
- Pricing is not transparent and requires direct contact with sales
- Some modules (e.g. performance and surveys) might be sold separately, but you can't tell because the pricing page is not transparent
- Certain features are designed for the UK market and may not apply globally
- Seems to be hard to use for HR reps
Pricing
HiBob doesn’t offer public pricing. Companies who are interested must ask for a custom quote based on the size of their team, the features they need, and where they are located. That makes it hard to compare costs with Rippling.
Best for: Mid-sized companies or startups in the UK.
Zoho People
Zoho People is a workforce management solution aimed at small to mid-sized businesses. The cloud-based HR platform is part of the larger Zoho ecosystem, which lets it work with Zoho CRM, Projects, and Sign, among other business tools.
Key Features
- Core HR: employee database, document storage, organization charts
- Leave management with customizable policies
- Shift scheduling and workforce planning
- Onboarding and task automation
- Performance management with goals, reviews, and feedback tools
- Zoho Connect integration for communication and collaboration
- Optional modules for recruitment, expense management, and e-signatures
Pros
- Part of the Zoho suite
- Interface is generally intuitive for basic HR operations
Cons
- Documentation and support quality is inconsistent according to user reviews
- Pricing structure is not straightforward
- Limited depth in some advanced HR areas compared to more enterprise-oriented tools
Pricing
Zoho People offers multiple pricing tiers, which start at lower entry points than many competitors. Pricing, on the other hand, depends on the modules and the number of users, and it might take a while to figure out what each level includes. You can get a free trial.
Best for: Small to medium-sized businesses that want to digitize their HR tasks in a cost-effective way, especially those that already use other Zoho apps or want to easily connect them to their business workflows.
BambooHR
BambooHR is a cloud-based workforce management platform designed to support core HR functions for small to mid-sized businesses too. The system is known for its clean interface and ease of use, and it's widely recognized in the HR tech space. The platform is modular, with optional add-ons like compensation planning or time tracking.
Key Features
- Employee records and centralized HR database
- Onboarding workflows and document handling
- Performance reviews and goal setting
- Payroll and benefits administration (U.S. only)
- Reporting capabilities and analytics
- Applicant tracking and new modules for compensation and compliance
- Integrations with external tools
Pros
- Interface is modern and intuitive for both HR teams and employees
- Reporting tools to support decision-making and HR trend tracking
- It is widely used, so hiring teams and job seekers are familiar with it
Cons
- Pricing is quote-based and not easily accessible
- Some users report performance issues like slowdowns or glitches
- Payroll functionality is limited
- Customer support quality has reportedly declined as the platform has grown
Pricing
BambooHR does not list pricing online. Plans are put together for each organization based on employee count, selected features, and optional add-ons like payroll processing.
Best for: U.S.-based companies not needing complex international payroll or highly specialized HR workflows.
Choosing the Right Rippling Alternative for SMBs
Finding the right HR services depends less on brand recognition and more on how well a platform fits your team’s size, structure, and processes. While many Rippling alternatives offer similar core features—like time tracking, onboarding, and payroll—the differences often boil down to integration flexibility, international capabilities, modular pricing, and user experience.
Before selecting a vendor, it’s worth mapping out your must-haves and identifying which tools are truly necessary versus nice-to-have.
Questions to Ask When Comparing Vendors
These are the questions that SMBs who are looking for Rippling alternatives should ask themselves.
- What are my core HR needs today?Are you primarily looking to manage payroll, track attendance, handle onboarding, or improve performance reviews?
- Does the platform scale with my team size and growth plans? Some tools are built for lean startups, while others are suitable for more complex org structures and those that need to manage international employees.
- How transparent is the pricing model? Can you calculate your cost per user or per feature, or do you need to request a quote and go through a demo first?
- Are the features modular or bundled? Can you add or remove tools like payroll or performance management, or is it a fixed package?
- How well does it integrate with existing tools? Look for native integrations with payroll providers, accounting software, Slack, Google Workspace, or whatever else your team relies on.
- Is the platform compliant with local and international employment laws?Especially important for companies with remote or global workforce management needs.
- What is the onboarding and customer support experience like?Are there setup guides, training resources, and a responsive support team—or will your HR lead be figuring things out alone?
- What do current users say? Capterra and G2 reviews can surface recurring pain points or highlight strengths in real-world use.
Answering these questions can help clarify which platform is most aligned with your organization’s goals—and save time (and budget) in the long run.
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Ripping FAQs
Q: What does Rippling do?
A: Rippling offers a unified platform that connects HR, payroll, IT, and finance functions. It automates onboarding, global payroll management, device and app management, expense tracking, and benefits. Its core strength lies in using employee data as a single source of truth, so when someone is hired or leaves, all related processes (like lending laptops, setting up accounts, managing cards) are handled automatically across all departments.
Q: How much does Rippling cost?
A: Rippling’s website does not provide detailed or transparent pricing information. Instead, businesses are required to request a custom quote based on their size and the modules they’re interested in. However, according to user reviews on platforms like Capterra, the core HR platform typically starts at around $8 per user per month. PEO services are often priced at $75 per employee per month or higher, and other features—like, perhaphs, as payroll services, device management, benefits administration, and finance tools—are offered as separate add-ons. Because the prices are set up in modules and there isn't a lot of information given up front, it can be hard for smaller businesses to figure out how much the whole thing will cost until they talk to a salesperson.
Q: Is Rippling an ERP?
A: Rippling isn’t a full-fledged ERP like SAP. It’s more accurately described as an HRIS with tightly integrated IT and finance modules. It's a simplified system for managing the employee lifecycle made possible by shared employee data. While Rippling has some automation features similar to ERP, it is more focused on HR, IT, and finance workflows rather than larger business functions like manufacturing or supply chain.